Deconstructing the Myth: African Women Entrepreneurs’ Access to Resources

2021 ◽  
pp. 517-542
Author(s):  
Kassa Woldesenbet Beta ◽  
Natasha Katuta Mwila ◽  
Olapeju Ogunmokun
Keyword(s):  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
African Women ◽  
Access To Resources

Gendered Lending Practices: Enabling South African Women Entrepreneurs to Access Start-Up Capital

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (03) ◽  
pp. 313-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn Derera ◽  
Pepukayi Chitakunye ◽  
Charles O'Neill ◽  
Amandeep Tarkhar-Lail
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Financial Institution ◽  
African Women ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Start Up ◽  
South African Women ◽  
Depth Interviews

This study explores gendered lending and marketing practices of start-up capital to women entrepreneurs in South Africa. A multi-method research design, comprising of 6 in-depth interviews with experts, and a survey of 50 women entrepreneurs was adopted using convenience and snowball sampling techniques, respectively. The findings revealed that women entrepreneurs are experiencing gendered discriminatory practices embedded in lending practices used by financial institutions, thereby discouraging them to venture into non-traditional industries. Whilst financial providers may know their products well, many emerging women entrepreneurs in South Africa may find it difficult and costly to obtain information on the thousands of financial products available. Hence, women entrepreneurs resort to taking greater risks than necessary in order to get their businesses off the ground. Educating women on financial matters is extremely important if South Africa is to benefit fully from the untapped entrepreneurial talent that women possess. The study adds voice to the discriminatory lending practices faced by women entrepreneurs in developing countries. Future research could explore the feasibility of establishing a financial institution which caters specifically for the needs of women.

scholarly journals An investigation into the financial barriers facing women entrepreneurs operating in SMMEs in Tshwane, South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn Chiloane-Tsoka
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Business ◽  
South African ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
African Women ◽  
Small Enterprise ◽  
Policy Statement ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
And Gender ◽  
South African Women

The South African women emancipation policy statement and gender equality are critical tools established by government to eradicate poverty among entrepreneurs operating in small business. Khula was established to act as a financial wholesaler to emerging entrepreneurs who needed finance to start and grow businesses. The Small Enterprise Development Agency was established to provide training needs to small business operators. Lack of finance is a major stumbling block to women entrepreneurs reaching their full economic potential in South Africa. Financial collaterals are barriers for women operating in SMMEs in Tshwane. The objective of the study was to investigate the financial barriers facing women entrepreneurs in Tshwane when starting or growing businesses. In order to achieve the results a structured questionnaire and interviews were used as method of collecting data. A sample of 300 women operating SMMEs in six townships of the Tshwane metropolitan area was analysed per a quota of 50 businesses per township. The results indicate that women entrepreneurs lack the financial collateral that is demanded by financial institutions when applying for finance to start or grow their business.

scholarly journals GLOBALIZATION: DO AFRICAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS MATTER?

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-104
Author(s):  
Elijah Bitange Ndemo ◽  
Ben Mkalama
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
African Women ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Global Order ◽  
Women Entrepreneurship ◽  
Global Commerce ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Even with the increased number of women enterprises and efforts to help women entrepreneurs in Africa exploit the potential benefits globalization, gender inequalities (perception and treatment of women in Africa) still stand in their way.   This paper seeks to address three questions:  First, what the literature suggests with respect to re-thinking alternative analytical approaches to a new understanding of globalization, entrepreneurship and gender equality in global commerce.  This will be followed by the question on how Africa conceptualizes women entrepreneurship and lastly, if the current African conceptualization of women entrepreneurs could precipitate exploitation of opportunities that the emerging global order presents.  The literature suggests that women still have a long way to go in changing environmental forces and perceptions to fully exploit their potential in the global stage.  A new theoretical way of analyzing their progress is imperative.

scholarly journals Female entrepreneurship in Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Modestus Nziku ◽  
John Joseph Struthers
Keyword(s):  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Risk Sharing ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
African Women ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conceptual Study ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework which combines the strength of weak ties (SWT) concept with an innovative taxonomy for mitigating principal-agent (P-A) conflicts. The taxonomy highlights the mechanisms through which African women can overcome the obstacles faced when setting up businesses. Design/methodology/approach The paper discusses the role of “weak ties” networks in entrepreneurial activities and integrates the concept with the key parameters of the P-A paradigm. The aim is to develop a taxonomy (or scorecard) for mitigating the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Africa from a P-A perspective. Six P-A parameters are analysed, namely, attitudes towards risk; behaviour-based vs targets-based contracts; asymmetric information; risk-sharing; transaction costs; and verification and monitoring costs. Findings With the aid of the taxonomy developed in the paper, the authors analyse the channels through which “SWT” networks may impact in mitigating the problems arising from the P-A paradigm. Some implications for women entrepreneurs in Africa are highlighted. Research limitations/implications The current conceptual study suggests that the “SWT” concept can be used by African women entrepreneurs to mitigate P-A problems. The authors argue that the original P-A taxonomy developed in the paper fills a conceptual research gap in the existing literature. Embedding the SWT concept within a P-A framework will facilitate further research not only to understand African women entrepreneurs’ attitudes (and responses) towards risk and uncertainty, but this will also facilitate greater understanding of the importance women attach to the role of incentives within their businesses. Practical implications The taxonomy presents new insights for understanding the most serious constraints that hinder women entrepreneurs in Africa. The taxonomy will be the basis for a follow-up empirical paper on selected African countries. Originality/value The originality of this study lies in the development of an innovative taxonomy which highlights the role of “SWT” social networks towards mitigating the P-A problem among African women entrepreneurs. The paper makes a significant contribution to the literature from a conceptual perspective.

African women entrepreneurs *

2020 ◽  
pp. 155-166
Author(s):  
Ven Sriram ◽  
David Lingelbach ◽  
Tigineh Mersha ◽  
Franklyn Manu
Keyword(s):  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
African Women
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